Asphalt surfacer



Oct. 26, 1954 J, WOQDS 2,692,641

ASPHALT SURFACER Filed NOV. 20. 1950 i f4 fa /2 20 y -i-l *4 ,JAMES H.Wooosy 53 i? 4 /Af//fA/m/Q. a@ a2 Hasan/ER, aefmfmwoma, 22 f3 )ff 5 xHERZ/G.

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uw IZ 20 /W Patented Oct. 26, 1954 UTI-TED STATES PATENT OFICE ASPHALTSURFACER.

James H. Woods, San Fernando, Calif. Application November 20, 1950,Serial N o. 196,577

6 Claims.

This invention relates to an asphalt surfacer and is exemplified by sucha portable surfacer which may be manually pushed back and forth by asingle workman along ,cracks or patchesin an asphalt roadbed or the1ike,so as to smooth the sameunder the iniluence of heat and pressuresupplied by the `moving' member.v

Previously vthere have been. handable, surfacers consisting essentiallyof a metal contact shoe secured to an elongated rod or operating handle.The surfacers were heated by layingothe shoe end in a fire for awhile.vk After a short period of use, the shoehad cooledoif to such anextent that it had to be returned to the re `for reheat ing. Thisnotonly restricted the .weight of such a unit to that which a workmancould Arepeatedly lift into and out of the re. It also exposed the shoeto the aging influence of the rire for considerable periods of time whenthe shoe was not actually being used. The period of effectiveoperationeafter removal from the re was Acornparatively brief so thatseveral surfacers might be required to work a comparatively small areaof asphalt. Moreover the time and fuel consumed in setting up andheating was out oi all proportion to that during which the iron was inactual use. Sometimes the use is sporadic and over some distance. Thedisadvantages of customary methods under such circumstances render themantediluvian.

Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide a portablesurfacer having a self-contained heating source or re box. Such aunitconveniently operates by providing a dame spread over the .upper face ofthe contact shoe so that the heat from the same is conveyed thru themetal shoe to the bottom contact blade or surface. A further advantageof such construction is that worn shoes may be replaced on the unit fromtime to time by bolting or otherwise attaching the same to the remainderof the upper part.

Yet anotherobject of the invention is to provide such a handablesurfacer havingaself-contained fuel supply. Such fuel is conveniently aliquid such as petroleum derived materialoand by the presentconstruction, the fuel tank is located in such manner as to produce alow center of gravity of the unit and to add its Weight to that of the`shoe itself so as to transmit the same to the pavement being worked.

In this connection, there is further provided means for increasing theeffective weight of `the surfacer by accumulating compressed airtherein, Desirably this pressure may be built up,1by a manuallyoperable, self-contained pump,v and ap- (Cl. 15S-13.6)

2 plied to the upper surface of the fuel supply thus aiding its outflow.

Still another purpose is to provide such a unit having a llamenozzleexposed to eternal cooling air but at the same timeuadequately encasedyso as topguard the same against possible injury lupon the u nitbeingroughly handled as when it may be thrown into or outv of a supply truck.

Yet;` another object resides in the provision of such a unit embracing atubular handle which carries the fuel tank and fire box Vin acontinually descending line toward the shoe, with the interiors of thehandle, and fuel tank disposed in open communication so that the handlemay servesimultaneously as afeed line for the fuel and asa housing foran air compression pump.

In the drawings:

Figure ll is a perspective view of a preferred form of my asphaltsurfacer in position for use.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional View taken thru the upperor handleend of the device and particularly showing the construction of the airpump mounted therein, with portions shown in elevation. p A

Figure v3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken thru the lower portionof the surfacer, with parts in side elevation, and particularly showingthe .relation of the flame nozzle to the interior of the surfacing shoe.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken thru the Contact endo ofthe surfacer as seen along the line 4-4 of Figure 3 and, showingtheguide-iins for spreading the flame Within the heat chamber..

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional View taken thru the shoe and covermember as seen along line 5to- 5 of Figure 3 and particularly showingthe forward Ventilating apertures at the front end of the device.l

vHaving particular reference to the embodiment of the inventionillustrated in Figure l, there is pro-vided a portable or hand operatedasphalt surfacing device embodying a lower terminal contact head A, acombustion unit B immediate posterior thereto,/ a fuel container C, andan elongated handle `or operating portion D.

The device is of such relatively limited weight so as to enable it to bereadily lifted in and out of a truck by one or two Workmen and in use topermit it to be pushed slowly back` and forth over the asphalt serviceby a single operator. At the same time it should be noted that the `unitmay optionally be so balanced as to be able to stand-by itselfunsupported and has the bulk of its weight concentrated at the lower endso as to 3 apply the same most effectively to a work area on pavement.This likewise facilitates the ready turning or lateral movement of thedevice about a given spot by the operator.

The contact head A is formed by a basal shoe I constructed of heavymetal or the like and characterized by a lower blade surface l2 which isgenerally iat over most of its area but curved upward at the front i4and rear |6 edges in a generally arcuate pattern so as to permit thesame to ride easily over temporary elevations on the surface beingtreated. The upper face I8 of the shoe is provided with a shallow,generally dishshaped depression 20, set back a short distance from eachedge and generally otherwise coextensive with the horizontal area of theshoe, The surrounding periphery or ledge 22 of the shoe is adapted tosupport an overlying hood or closure member 24 which, in conjunctionwith the bottom of the depression 20, forms an inner, generallyrectangular` heat or combustion chamber 26.

The hood is constructed with a iiat top 28 and downwardly diverging sidewalls 32 the lower edges of which abut upon the respective sides of theledge 22, being secured thereto by welding or are generally vertical orparallel to each other, the former being provided with verticallydirected slits or apertures 38 which jointly form a grill work in theforward end so as to provide an outlet for a longitudinal air passagethru the combustion chamber 2G.

To the rear of the combustion chamber there is located a generallycylindrical housing 46 secured at an upright angle to the contact head Awith its edges abutting and bolted (as by vertical studs not shown) orwelded to the rear edge 42 of the shoe and the rear wall 36 of the hood.The hollow interior of the housing 48 accordingly is in opencommunication with the combustion chamber 26 thru the aperture 4| of therear hood wall 36 (Figure 4). The housing 42 is constructed of a lowerperipherally enclosed section 44 and an upwardly continuing portion 46of substantially semi-circular or trough-like shape. Thus, the upperhalf of the latter section being cut away, it serves both as an entryfor air to the lower section and as a semi-housing frame for combustionunit B.

The combustion unit or mixing tube which is mounted in the supportingchannel 48 provides a jet or nozzle member 48 the forward, lower,somewhat constricted, end 58 of which is disposed to emit a downwardlydirected flame which is initially ignited in the upper section thereof.The mixing tube is supplied with fuel thru a line 52 and a primarysupply of air is drawn in thru the opening 54. The capacity of the airinlet 54 is in turn regulated by a longitudinally displaceable valve 56which can be manually adjusted by means of the hand wheel 58.

Additional or secondary air ducts are provided in the lower portion ofthe nozzle at 66. In this connection, it is important to observe thatthe outlet or lower end of the jet 48 is overlaid by the tubular housing44 spaced apart therefrom so as to prevent the former from becomingdeformed upon the unit being roughly handled as when it is being thrownin or outl of a truck. At the same time air is permitted to passdownward between the housing wall 44 and the outside of the nozzle andthru the aperture 4| so as to support further combustion in the chamber26. As the flame or combustion products enter the chamber 26 theycontact an upstanding baffle 6| formed of a pair of diverging ns whichserve to spread the burning or heated gases over the area of thechamber.

A fuel container C is provided with the unit, being formed integraltherewith and located comparatively close to the contact head A so as tocontribute to the low center of gravity of the composite device. Thefuel employed, for example, may be gasoline and as here illustrated myfuel tank 62 is a generally cylindrical container the lower end 64 ofwhich is rigidly secured to the edge of the channel member 46 as bywelding and is apertured at 66 for threaded connection to the deliveryline 52.

The opposite end 68 of the tank supports the outwardly extending handleunit D by means of an L-shaped or anged mounting collar 10 which isfastened axially to the end wall 68 with its central opening 12 inalignment with a similar opening I4 of the end wall so as to receivejointly therethru, the mouth of a tubular member 16, the interior ofwhich is in open communication with the inside of the gasoline tank fora purpose which will be shortly explained.

The tubular member 16 extends axially upward from the fuel tank 62 to apoint of bending 18 where it is curved rearward at a greater angle so asto form a more convenient hand hold portion 86 for the operator. Withinthis terminal section 88 (Figure 2) there is provided a manuallyoperable air pump 82 by means of which a positive pressure of air can bebuilt up upon the upper surface of the gasoline in the tank 62 (or inthe tubular portion 16 if the gasoline extends up this far).

The air pump is carried in a central aperture 84 of an annular capmember 85 which latter serves as well as a closure for the upper end ofthe tube 16. The cap is provided with a radially enlarged lip 88 bearinginternal screw threads which register with corresponding externalthreads 90 about the mouth of the tube. The elongated cylindrical pumpunit 82 is permanently mounted within the cap 86 as by soldering andprojects outward beyond either end therefrom so that upon mounting thecap 86 upon the handle 86, the lower portion of the pump is inserted inthe tube and at the same time the tube is closed to the exterior. Uponthe cap and pump being taken on", the fuel tank 62 can be lled bypouring gasoline down the handle 80.

The air pump 82 consists of a tubular member 92 opened at both ends andhaving a one-way valve 94 located at the lower end thereof, the valvebeing normally held closed by a spring 96 disposed about the valve stem98. A closure cap |00 substantially U-shaped in axial section, isthreadedly mounted upon the opposite end of the tube 92 and journals ina central aperture thereto, a piston rod |62 which is thus disposed forreciprocating movement within the tube 92. The inner or lower end of thepiston rod |02 carries the plunger or piston proper |04 which ismoveable lengthwise in the tube to force air thru the valve member |94.The outer end of the piston rod |02 is in turn attached to a U-shapedcap |08 which is of generally corresponding diameter to the handle 8|]and consequently overlies the inner cap |00 and most of the outwardlyprojecting portion of the pump housing 92.

Upon outward movement of the cap |68, the plunger rod of course movesout simultaneously, the two being withdrawn until the piston head isbehind an air inlet ||D. Inward movement of the cap and piston rodforces the newly entered air from the piston chamber past the valve 94and compresses it into the handle T6. 'A helical spring H2 disposedabout the piston rod and attached' to the inner face of the end 'of thecap |08 provides both a shock absorber and a limit means for inwardmovement of the piston and attached cap, the freeend'of the spring HB2lthus abutting against the. outer face of the closure member-00 as seenin Figure` 2.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a baiiie H4 withinthe bottom of the cylinder barrel or channel 4B. By this construction anopen pan is effectively provided beneath the burner B so that uponinitial staking of the latter liquid fuel can drip down into the areabeneath the burner to heat the same as required to nre up. When so usedthe apparatus is preferably inclined so that the liquid fluid level, asshown -at HS in phantom, is horizontal. Any excess easily burns away orwhen the apparatus is righted for use runs down into the fire chamber 26where it is consumed with the main nring flame.

Accordingly, it will be seen that I have provided an asphalt surfacerwhich is both compact and efficient in construction as well as simpleand economical in operation. As earlier noted, the shoe proper may bedisconnected from the rest of the unit after use, along the time ofattachment and a new shoe connected. Thus the unit as a whole has agreatly extended period of usefulness.

While I have herein shown and described my invention in what I haveconceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it isrecognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of myinvention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein,but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace anyand all equivalent devices.

The invention having been herein described, what I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A portable asphalt surfacer comprising a smooth-bottomed surfacecontacting metal shoe including a hood forming a combustion chamber overthe area of the shoe, said chamber having an intake at one end, a baffleacross the intake, an integral tubular extension on the shoe angularlydisposed thereto adjacent the baffle and a burner projecting into thetubular extension, said extension being notched on an upper side thereofabove the tubular extension and adapted to accommodate the burner innested relation therein accessible through said notch, a fuel tanksupported on the upper end of the tubular extension integral with andforming an intermediate portion of a handle, a tubular member openlycommunicating with the upper end of the fuel tank extending upwardly outof the tank forming a hand-hold and a hand pump mounted in the upper endof the handle, said handle providing an outer casing and an air conduitfor said pump.

2. A portable asphalt surfacer comprising a smooth-bottomed surfacecontacting metal shoe including a hood forming a combustion chamber overthe area of the shoe, said chamber having an intake at one end, a baffleintegral with the shoe and across the intake, a tubular extension on theshoe angularly disposed thereto adjacent the baffle and a burnerprojecting into the tubular extension spaced from the baffle, extensionforming a part of a handle and being open on the upper side thereofabove the rebox and adapted to partially encircle and guard the burner,-a low transverse wall-'across a perto'nof the extension which is openforming fire-up reservoir for fuel, a fuel tank Von the extensionabovethe rebox and a hand-hold on the handle above the reservoir.

3. A portable asphalt surfacer comprising. a smooth-bottomed surfacecontacting `metal 'shoe including a hood forming a combustion chamberover the area of the shoe, said chamber having' an intake at one end, a-baiile across the intake of the chamber, an integral tubular extensionon the shoe angularly disposed thereto adjacent the baiile and a burnerprojecting. into the extens-ion, said extension being open on anuppermost side thereof and adapted to accommodate the burner, a lowtransverse'wall across the ex'- tension forming a nre-up reservoir forfuel, `a fuel tank integral with and forming amid-portion of a handle, atubular hand-hold at the uppermost end of the handle openlycommunieating with the fuel tank, and a hand pump in the upper end ofthe handle for pumping air through said handhold and into saidreservoir, and a gas supply tube from the tank to the reservoir whollynested in the tubular extension.

4. A portable asphalt surfacer comprising a smooth-bottomed surfacecontacting metal shoe including a hood forming a combustion chamber overthe area of the shoe but inset from the front end of the shoe, saidchamber having an intake at a rear end, an outlet at a front end behindand above the front end of the shoe and a baille across the intake, anintegral tubular extension on the shoe angularly disposed theretoadjacent the baiile and a burner projecting into the extension, saidextension forming part of a handle and having a cut-away portion on theupper side thereof above the burner adapted to accommodate the burner, alow transverse wall across the extension adjacent the burner forming anopen fire-up reservoir for fuel, a substantially cylindrical fuel tankintegral with and forming an intermediate portion of the handle, atubular member extending upwardly out of the tank forming a hand-holdand a pump casing and air pressure pump therein in axial alignment withand forming the upper end of the hand-hold.

5. In a portable asphalt surfacer, in combination, a substantially flatshoe of rectangular configuration in plan View, having rounded edges atthe bottom thereof, a fiat upper surface portion, and having a centraldished-out surface, including an upstanding, integral, substantially L-shaped baille extending upwardly beyond the upper dished surface beyondthe plane of the flat upper surface portion of the shoe and having itsapex directed rearwardly, a hood having a top and sides, said sidesbeing secured to said flat surface portion at the sides of the shoe,said hood being open at the rear end disposed above said dished portionof the shoe behind said L-shaped baiile, and a front end having openingsdened therein, a cylindrical housing extending upwardly and rearwardlyof said hood and shoe and being secured thereto in communication withthe rear opening of the hood and said dished surface of said shoe, anupper side portion of said housing being notched, a burner nested withinthe notched housing portion and having a flame tip projecting downwardlyand forwardly Within the unnotched lower portion of the cylindricalhousing, a transverse partition in the cylindrical housing opposite fromsaid notch and adjacent said burner, a cylindrical reservoir having athreaded lower wall integral with an uppermost end of said cylindricalhousing, said lower wall extending radially beyond said housing and saidburner, a fuel line communicating between said reservoir through saidWall thereof and said burner and nested well within said notchedcylindrical housing, a tubular handle extending upwardly and rearwardly,coaxial with said housing and said reservoir and communicating with thelatter, an upper end of said handle being screw-threaded,

a cap threadably secured thereto and having a 10 central opening, an airpump extending into said handle through said cap by means of said opening for pumping air under pressure into said handle and said reservoir,said cap being threadably removable from said handle together with l5said pump for filling said reservoir and said handle through saidhandle.

6. An asphalt surfacer as defined in claim 5,

said shoe extending forwardly substantially beyond said hood, said hoodfront openings being forward and adjacent said dished portion of saidshoe.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 398,743 Mull Feb. 26, 1889 1,227,736 Beatty May 29, 19171,378,675 Hauck May 17, 1921 1,455,648 Morrison May 15, 1923 1,509,236Greene Sept. 23, 1924 2,121,728 Boyd June 21, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 514,970 Great Britain Nov. 22, 1939

